Saturday, January 31, 2009

A busy week. On Monday February 2nd Garfield Dunlop will be holding his economic consultation at the Brooklea Golf Club starting at 9:00 am.

On Tuesday, the Town will hold its second “visioning” session at 6:30 pm at the NSSRC. I understand this will further develop the ideas from the first session. All are welcome.

Wednesday the 4th at 7:00 at the Town will see the Planning Advisory Committee meeting (You May Speak at Discretion of Chair). There will be a couple of interesting items:1) The developer of the “Pratt Lands” (open area between St. Theresa H.S. and TRW) is bringing forward a draft plan of subdivision. It includes 196 dwelling units including single family and town-homes.2) The Home Occupation By-law is back. Apparently some wording issues are still unresolved.

On Thursday February 5th at 7:00 pm an important meeting will be held by the Simcoe County District School Board at MSS. The meeting will discuss the declining enrolment at some of our high schools and how the Board should organize its school resources.

And on Friday – get ready for all the Winterfest activities on Saturday and Sunday. Should be the best festival ever.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I hope that you are staying warm. We have had three “Cold Weather Alerts” at the Out of the Cold shelter over the last two weeks – so you know its cold.

This past Saturday saw the first of three Visioning sessions conducted by the Town – what will Midland be like in 2031? About 40 people attended. The session was well organized with much discussion about the future for our quality of life, economy and waterfront. The next two sessions are Tuesday February 3rd at 6:30 pm and Tuesday February 10th at 6:30, both at NSSRC.

The main Town meeting this week is Council on Monday Jan 26th at 7:00 pm (Deputation Only). Should be a relatively short meeting. Some of the items:- The annual building permit report will be presented:

Permits Total Issued Dollar (M)2008 460 27.92007 514 67.2

Change -11% -58%

While the decline in total dollars is large, 2007 was an exceptional year. 2008 is much more in line with where we were in 2003-2004.

- The Drummond wall will be discussed. The debate continues whether it should be protected in situ or moved.- And we will be updated on the construction that has started on our library addition.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

You should plan on attending the “Unbottle It” event taking place on Wednesday January 21st at 7:00 pm at the Midland Secondary School – free admission. The event will feature Maude Barlow, Sid Ryan (and rumour has it, yours truly) speaking to the topic of what is happening with your water.

This Saturday January 24th at 9:00 am will see the first of three workshops to develop the “vision” for the Town. The workshops are organized by the Town to get your input into what Midland should look like by the year 2031. Will be interesting.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Winter is back. Cold outside! Luckily things are starting to heat up at the Town.

First of all remember to take in Garfield Dunlop’s levee at the Penetanguishene Legion on Sunday January 11th at 1 pm.

This Monday January 12th your Councillors will first gather for a closed meeting at 6pm and then proceed to the Committee Meeting at 7 pm (Written Input). Some of the interesting items on a long agenda:- We will hear the results of the bus transit survey recently conducted in Midland- Penetanguishene has asked us if we agree with them on the proposed alternate highway route to Midland, identified in the County Official Plan- Shelter Now will ask Council if it will waive development fees on their affordable housing project as the County has made this a condition of the County doing so- A recommendation will be tabled to start fining any retailer who is open in contravention of the Retail Business Holiday Act

Wednesday at 7pm will see the first Planning Advisory Committee of the season. I am not sure if you will be allowed to speak as Stephan Kramp is your new Chair. A fairly light agenda. One of the more interesting items is a report on the recent visits by the Mayor and CAO with many of the major employers in Town.

I wish to recognize Dennis Brabant who after 17 years of devoted volunteer service has announced that he is leaving the downtown BIA Board. Dennis exemplifies the many dedicated volunteers who make our community work.

And finally mark Winterfest on your calendar for February 6th and 7th. A list of activities is attached.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Town offices open after the holiday break this Monday. It will be a pretty quiet week as we catch up. A number of committee meetings are scheduled including the Committee of Adjustment and Library Board.

If you want to do something you can participate in Bruce Stanton’s consultation on the economy taking place at the Penetanguishene Town Hall at 7 pm on Monday January 5th – and yes you may speak.

Midland Ontario

About Me

I was born in Gander, Newfoundland, and have been privileged to live in many regions of Canada. My career started as an Officer with the Department of National Defense, moved on to senior management in operations with Bank of Montreal, Principal with KPMG and then President of two start-up companies, one in B2B marketing and the other in sports technology.
Since moving to Midland in 2001 I have been involved in the community in many capacities: - Director, Out of the Cold – Chair, Martyrs’ Shrine Board of Trustees - Chair, Huronia Foundation for the Arts – Founder, Zero Waste Simcoe - Chair, St. Margarets Cemetery Board - Founder, Economic Development Association of North Simcoe. My political career started as a municipal Councillor in 2006 and then successive terms as Mayor in 2010 and 2014.
My wife Cathy and I have been married for 43 years and have two adult children. When time permits I pursue personal interests in cosmology, virtual reality development and gardening.